Three councillors have signalled their intention to stop access to the Beardy Street Mall being cut off for vehicles.
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Following a council decision to not allow a trial of drop-off zone in the mall for Tattersalls Hotel, the council is now erecting signs to prevent all vehicles entering except for emergency and essential vehicles.
But Cr Dorothy Robinson says she intends to fight that move, and contacted the Express with a joint statement from her and fellow councillors Debra O'Brien and Margaret O'Connor.
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The three councillors say council's action to cut access to the mall is misinterpreting what they intended when voting down the drop-off zone trial, which was to maintain the status quo.
Armidale Regional Council resolved not to adopt the Traffic Committee's recommendations to remove the stage, install permanent signage, bollards and line markings in the Mall, and trial a Shared Zone from 5pm to 8.30am.
It would have allowed taxis to drop customers outside Tattersalls Hotel.
The councillors said they heard from many residents who were outraged and surprised these proposals were put to council with no formal plans or discussion, just a recommendation from the traffic committee.
"We were baffled by the Mayor's comments in The Armidale Express that there would be ramifications for vehicles (such as security) that currently access the mall," Cr Robinson said.
But the mayor, Simon Murray, confirmed that signs were being erected.
Cr Murray accused the three councillors of tall poppy syndrome, saying they wanted some businesses to have access to the mall but not others.
Meanwhile, Cr O'Brien said they had been told that the signs at either end of the mall would say that no vehicles would be permitted except essential and emergency vehicles and this would enable the rangers to enforce this requirement of council.
She said failure to comply would attract a $110 fine and delivery vehicles currently dropping off to businesses and Mall Markets would be included.
"This appears to be a completely unwarranted misinterpretation of the plain meaning council resolution, which was simply to not adopt the changes proposed by the traffic committee," Cr O'Connor said.
Cr Robinson's motion to the next council meeting will note the intended meaning of "not adopting" in the resolution about traffic in the mall, to retain the status quo.
"We still have consultants working on a MasterPlan for our region, including the Mall and the CBD," Cr Robinson said.
"It seems silly and counter-productive to do anything until councillors and the community have had an opportunity to see and comment on the MasterPlan proposals."
All three councilors said they were looking forward to the seeing the ideas in the MasterPlan and hoped they create a more attractive, safe and sustainable focus for our region as we recover from these difficult times.
